What Should You Expect From Hospice Care at Home?

You should expect from hospice care at home both comprehensive comfort measures and holistic support. Trained medical professionals visit regularly to help ease your symptoms and make you more comfortable so that you can maximize your quality of life. Hospice care also assists your family at all stages.

According to a 2022 report from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, a growing number of Americans receive hospice services. In 2020, over 1.7 million people enrolled for such care. The American Cancer Society adds that most individuals have hospice care at home. At-home end-of-life care enables people with terminal conditions to spend their final days or weeks in their private abodes, surrounded by loved ones, treasured possessions and memories. However, if your condition isn’t stable or you need 24/7 attention or intensive medical care, you should receive hospice services in an inpatient setting such as a hospital or specialized facility.

Individuals typically start the hospice pathway when they have a terminal condition and a life expectancy of less than six months. When you agree to hospice care, curative treatments and disease-delaying measures stop. Instead, the focus switches to comprehensive services that reduce discomfort and increase peace of mind.

Hospice teams include diverse medical specialists, including nurses, aides and therapists. They also feature medical social workers, counselors, volunteer companions and spiritual advisors. Expect caregivers to regularly visit you at home and maintain frequent communication by telephone and electronic means. Your care team creates a personalized support plan to address your specific needs. Services center around relieving symptoms such as:

• Pain
• Digestive issues
• Skin irritations
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Breathlessness
• Depression
• Anxiety

Other support includes:

• Personal care assistance
• Counseling
• Pastoral care or religious guidance
• Companionship

Family caregivers play a large role in supporting those who have hospice care at home. They provide practical assistance, such as helping with day-to-day tasks, alongside offering solace and socialization. The hospice team gives them directions for completing basic care tasks and following medication and therapeutic routines. Families also contact support workers for guidance outside scheduled visiting times. Additionally, hospice allows patients to receive temporary inpatient care for respite purposes, relieving pressure on informal caregivers and giving them time to focus on personal matters.

Family support continues after a patient passes away. In many states, hospice nurses can pronounce death and complete the initial paperwork required for the death certification process. Teams extend comfort to loved ones, helping them arrange religious rituals and contact funeral homes. Hospice plans also include grief and bereavement counseling for close relatives.